I got my Visor Deluxe last month and I love it.
If you are considering buying a Visor Deluxe, I'm sure you are deciding between this Visor and PalmIIIxe, because they have similar feature, spac, and they both have the same price.
AT the same time I bought my Visor, my roommate bought a PalmIIIxe (and he also loves his Palm very much). So i'll give you the differences between these 2 PDAs, and let you decide which one you like better.
I'll start with How Visor is better.
-Visor has expansion module, which means alot, you can add many many feature afterward, you can make your Visor am MP3 player too! And you can also easily add more memory to your Visor, while for PalmIIIxe, you can only add 2MB flashcard.
-Visor is a bit lighter than PalmIIIxe (5.4oz Vs 6.0 Oz, not a lot of difference though)
-When you buy a leather case for your Visor, you dont have to stick a valcro to the back of your PDA like you have to for Palm. (Palm need a Valcro to hold it to the case, while for Visor, there's a plastic holder attach to the back of the leather case, so you can jsut put your Visor securely in there)
-Visor comes with a fast USB cradle while Palm comes with slow serial cradle, so if you buy palm and want a fast synconizing, you'll need to buy a USB cradle separatly for about thirty dollars.
-Visor comes with a good quiality stylus, it has solid feel of metal, and if you open it up, there's a little screw driver and a reset pin inside. Palm comes with a piece of plactic stylus, my roomate had to buy a new stylus for about fifteen dolars
-And another important nice thing about Visor is, you have 4 cool colors to choose from (5 colors if you include boring graphite color) If you are getting Visor as a gift to a college students or someone young, they'll love the colors.
Ok, now to what's better about PalmIIIxe
-PalmOS on Palm is upgradable, while Visor user will stuck with PalmOS version 3.1 for the rest of the VIsor's life. However, this is not a problem as it may sounds. most version of PalmOS's are essentially the same thing.
-PalmIIIxe has better display than Visor. Palm has 4bits display, while Visor deluxe has only 2bits. This means that, for Palm, u'll be able to display 16 level of grey-scale, while for Visor, you can only display 4 levels of grey-scale.
So, that's about it for the little comparison chart I made. Other tings about these 2 PDAss are the same, they use same processor, and dimension is the same. (Visor is slightly thicker, and Palm is slightly wider)
As a recommendation if you r going to buy Visor Deluxe, get one of the cool color, don't get graphite one, unless you are a businessman, and want a more sophiticate looking device. Otherwise, other 4 colors are way cooler, (mine's orange)
If you have more cash to burn, then I recommend you getting either PalmVx or Visor Platinum, they are a little bit more expensive. However, I've never used them so I will not write any comments about them.
P.S. DO NOT get a PDA with less then 8MB memory, must have AT LEAST 8MB
I have quite some experience with the use of mobile phones andPDAs. For example, until recently, I had an Ericsson MC16 (based onWindows CE). In practice, I actually did not use much more of it than the agenda, although I could use it for word processing, spreadsheets, web browsing and so forth. I just noticed I didn't need those functionalities that much and if I wanted them, the user friendliness and performance were below my needs. As such, it was too big, cumbersome and slow for me.
Last summer I bought a Palm V for my wife. She really enjoys it and I got to see all the benefits of the Palm-concept. For example, it's so small you just always have it with you. That means killing time waiting somewhere for something can become much more fun and productive: you can continue playing a game or do something more business oriented like reading some notes before a meeting.
When I thought it was time for me to get me a new device, I found out about the Handspring Visor. I also considered the new PocketPC devices like the HP Jornada and the Casio Cassiopeia. First of all, these devices are a lot bigger. Second, they are more expensive. Third, they have a lot of features (color, video, audio) but before you buy such a device, you don't know whether or not you'll actually use it as an MP3 player, for example. So you end up with a device that has too much functionality that you didn't want after all (but did pay for). Plus, if you wanted the device to have new features later on, you would probably only have the option to buy the newer version of it and thus shorten the economic lifetime of the device to perhaps just a year.
The great benefit of the Visor is that you have this all under control. A lot of springboard modules are or will be available. If you are an early adapter, you'll buy yourself the MP3 player, the GPS system, or a camera. If you are not so sure, you will just wait and see how people around you actually use it before you purchase a springboard module.
I myself am interested in really mobile Internet, so not just off-line web browsing when I am on the move (like with avantgo). Therefore, I already downloaded and tested three WAP browsers on my visor. I get online using the IR port to my mobile phone. Today, this is still a bit cumbersome: I cannot walk around doing this (the devices have to keep in line all the time). But soon there will be Bluetooth enabled mobile phones, so if I buy the Bluetooth springboard module I can browse the web leaving my mobile in my pocket, suitcase or on the table.
The Visor gives me this opportunity, which none of the other PDAs in the market can. So even though most springboard modules are not yet available, I do not have to worry getting rid of my PDA for a long time. So, besides the fact that the device is a lot cheaper than most other PDAs, I predict it will also last longer.
Summarizing my review...
Plus: * Looks cool * Good performance * A lot of memory * Better standard calculator than Palm * Buttons can be redefined to any program * The versatility using springboard modules * The nice minimalistic plastic cover can be put on the back side when using the Visor. It gives good protection and does not get lost.
Minus: * Batteries do not recharge and drain quite fast * Thicker and heavier than the Palm V * Does not have all necessary software on board to start making use of IR with other devices...
Buy Handspring Visor Deluxe (Ice) Now
What an amazing little piece of technology this Visor Deluxe is. Of course, it works the same way a Palm does, but Handspring gives you more stuff for the same money as a Palm IIIxe. Both machines have 8mb of memory (way too much if all you're using it for is a day planner; the 2mb version will be fine for non email users), and work exactly the same way. But the Visor has the expansion module, and while Palm makes do with a serial hotsync connection, Visor has a quicker USB port.
I also had occasion to try out Handspring's customer service the other day (apparently I loaded a bad app onto my Visor, which kept it from booting up), and I'm pleased to say it was fast, very courteous and effective.
The only thing I'd improve on is the thickness of the product, but then again, that's what makes room for the expansion module. And if you look at one of those ultra-thin Palm V's, you'll find they run off rechargable batteries...which means if you're taking it on a long trip, you'll have to bring the charger with you. With the Visor, the AAA batteries last about a month, and they're easy to pack along when you travel (if you think it'll go dead during the trip).
All in all, I'd heartily recommend the Visor to anyone who needs a little organization in his or her life. Now if only Handspring would make good on their promise to make more expansion-module apps...
Read Best Reviews of Handspring Visor Deluxe (Ice) Here
I know that all Palm OS devices are just as easy to use, but the Handspring goes beyond that with ease of upgrading via the Springboard module.
The USB sync is also faster that the serial port used by other Palm devices. Graffiti is easy and fun to learn, but you can alsways use the on screen keyboard.
Another advantage of a Visor is the 5 colors. This may not sound important, but you'll have all your friends coming over to you and asking "what is that?". There is also a built-in Microphone for use with software that handles voice input, I have never used it, but it has a lot of potential.
But again, I think the best feature is the Springboard module. You can add a MP3 player, digital camera, modem, extra memory, even games and books. Can your Palm do that :)
If you're thinking of getting a Palm based PIM, get the Visor, you won't regret it. (and Amazon has a 30 money back guarantee if you do)
Want Handspring Visor Deluxe (Ice) Discount?
I upgraded from a Palm Professional and spent a great deal of time researching my options. For the same money as a Palm IIIxe, you get a Visor Deluxe, fast USB synching to your PC, and extra integration software for Outlook that would cost up to $50. The 8MB of memory is incredible. I store databases, documents, email, and about a dozen games in addition to my tasks, appointment and contacts and I've only used up half the memory. This machine is truely a great buy!
My cf card by dane-electric was mony well spent and the product does what it stated in the amazon.com shopping list. My pics came out wonderful. I would definitely buy this product again. Thank you.
